Fall Tablescape with Chambord

*Sponsorship Note: This post was sponsored by Refinery29 & Chambord (Brown-Forman Corporation, Louisville KY, Black Raspberry Liqueur, 16.5%, 21+). All content, words and ideas are our own. Thank you for supporting the partnerships that make this blog possible.

It goes without saying that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year (an entire day centered around feasting… say no more), so when Chambord approached us to tackle a tablescape for the occasion, it was a no-brainer. While the menu is certainly the highlight of most holiday dinners, I still like to spruce things up with a few elements that speak to the season (without getting too kitschy or traditional). Here we used rich florals and gold accents to elevate the scene while still keeping things low-fuss and manageable in the chance that you’re entertaining for a big group this time around.

Aside from flowers, one of my favorite ways to dress up a table is with the place settings. For this gathering, we visited our local hardware store to craft a simple DIY for gold napkin rings — a treat for the eyes when guests take their seat. Ask a salesperson to direct you to their selection of brass rings (typically used for plumbing or hanging drapery) and grab one for each guest you’ll be hosting. We used the 2 3/4” style, and depending on the look you’re going for, you can either leave them distressed, polish them up, or spray paint them gold or silver. We paired ours with a beige linen napkin on top of plum colored plates (don’t be afraid to use untraditional palettes this season!) and finished it off with a single stem of Pincushion Protea.

As far as appetizers before the big meal go, I’m all about carrying over the theme of simplicity. Splurge on a few great cheese selections, a loaf of freshly baked bread, some nuts (Marcona almonds are my go-to), a pile of charcuterie, cornichons for snacking, and you’re good to go. And for the twenty-one and over crowd in attendance, try out a signature drink for the day like this raspberry gin and tonic. My hopes are that once the styling and menu are taken care of, you can sit back and focus on what the day is truly about — showing your gratitude for those you’re seated across the table from. More details on the napkin ring DIY and cocktail recipe can be found below.

1. Lay all of your brass rings out on a few layers of old newspaper.
2. Shake your spray paint can thoroughly before opening the cap, and spray to cover each ring completely. Be sure each ring gets the same amount of spray paint for consistency.
3. Let dry for 10-15 minutes, then flip them over and repeat until no brass is left showing.
Note: As an alternative, you can forego the spray paint and simply polish the brass rings with a few metal polishing cloths (these ones work great).

Raspberry Gin and Tonic

What You’ll Need
Gin
Chambord
Tonic water
Ice
Cucumber

1. Pour 2 oz. gin into a tall glass over ice.
2. Add 1 tbsp. of Chambord (black raspberry liqueur).
3. Top off with tonic water and stir. Garnish with a slice of cucumber.

The Elysian Edit is a design, culture and lifestyle website founded by Jessica Comingore. The Elysian Edit explores the art of refined living, and is built on the idea that modest, intentional design can help enrich our lives and elevate our day-to-day.